Has anyone actually used a mezzaluna?

[Ericfg]

I'm just curious if any of you lot have ever used a mezzluna? If so was it functional?
And were there any uses other than chopping herbs? TIA.

image just for clarity.

 

[Michi]

I have a single-bladed one. Honest opinion: it's basically useless. I'm faster doing the same job with a chef's knife.

 

[Michi]

I'm faster doing the same job with a chef's knife.

Not sure how it would go with a rectangle. But @BillHanna might know

 

[blokey]

Do I really need most of knives I own? Not really, but if it is cool why not.

Not sure how it would go with a rectangle. But @BillHanna might know

Same way with rectangles, they can rock.

 

[Jovidah]

I have a Wusthof 23 cm chefs knife. Feels like a one-handed mezzaluna in use...

 

[Michi]

I have a Wusthof 23 cm chefs knife. Feels like a one-handed mezzaluna in use...

Same here. Actually, no, 20 cm. It's fine, and still works better than a mezzaluna.

 

[BillHanna]

It could be bait, so people don’t touch the Good Knives

 

[Ericfg]

Well, that's what I thought. Amazing, considering how many I see.

All that being said I'm eyeballin' one, just to be a completest.

 

[esoo]

The wife, who I would say has pretty decent knife skills, has one. I think I've see her use it once in the 10 years I've know her.

 

[Michi]

The wife, who I would say has pretty decent knife skills, has one. I think I've see her use it once in the 10 years I've know her.

You should introduce me to your wife. Sounds like we’d have a lot of things in common.

 

[esoo]

You should introduce me to your wife. Sounds like we’d have a lot of things in common.

She loves the pictures of your baking. The sausages (which I think are cool), are a little out there for her tastes.

 

[Qapla']

Deleted.

 

[Honerabi]

I seem to remember a bowl-shaped chopping block with the curvature matching the mezzaluna. Maybe I'm hallucinating.

 

[rickbern]

I have a sorta similar setup that I use for chopped liver, so the wet ingredients stay contained in a bowl, and for chopping fruits and nuts together, also keeps things contained. I’d never think to use it for just some herbs though

https://www.kitchenknifeforums.com/threads/my-favorite-chopped-liver-knife.34301/

 

[Heckel7302]

I've thought about adding one to my vintage collection, but I doubt I would ever use it. I don't see any benefit over a regular knife. If both my hands are going to be on a knife, it will be as a double rock chop, which I feel like would give more control than a mezzaluna.

 

[Marek07]

I seem to remember a bowl-shaped chopping block with the curvature matching the mezzaluna. Maybe I'm hallucinating.

You're most likely not hallucinating though I can't speak to my mental health when I acquired mine.

No idea why I did it. Thoroughly mindless purchase and a useless item. Mine was like @Ericfg's photo (dual blade) with a concave wooden base. It's in a box or cupboard somewhere and if I never find it, it'll be too soon.

 

[Ericfg]

I seem to remember a bowl-shaped chopping block with the curvature matching the mezzaluna. Maybe I'm hallucinating.

Definitely not dreaming that bowl/block. I've seen plenty of those as well.

 

[Ericfg]

I've thought about adding one to my vintage collection, but I doubt I would ever use it.

Yeah, I doubt I'd use it more than once, just to give it a test run. I can't even imagine how I'd sharpen a double-bladed mezz.

 

[GorillaGrunt]

I have a single-bladed one. Honest opinion: it's basically useless. I'm faster doing the same job with a chef's knife.

Exactly the same here with a double bladed one. I actually had that before I had knife skills and it helped, but now I’ve caught up.

 

[Jville]

Not sure how it would go with a rectangle. But @BillHanna might know

Just use two of them at the same time Mezza Rectangle

 

[blokey]

What about something like this? Seems like they have some similar thought processes when invented
https://bernalcutlery.com/collections/zirh/products/zirh-turkish-mincing-knife-400mm-carbon

 

[bzalforno]

My wife was a student of Giuliano Bugalli the Florentine cooking teacher and author. she bought a mezzaluna after the clases 40 hears ago and it hasnt been used in 39.5 years, but is is still in her tool drawer.

 

[Michi]

My wife was a student of Giuliano Bugalli the Florentine cooking teacher and author. she bought a mezzaluna after the clases 40 hears ago and it hasnt been used in 39.5 years, but is is still in her tool drawer.

It’s a bit like a security blanket that one has outgrown. It doesn’t get used, but you’d never give it away.

I still have my teddy bear that was given to me when I was three years old. I admit I don’t use it much these days. But I will own it until I die.